The Ghost of Matthew DaCosta

So who is Matthew DaCosta and why does his ghost still haunt us?

February is Black History Month in most of North America, but here in Nova Scotia,  there is a unique and fascinating story of some of our earliest settlers. In fact, several black explorers travelled our coast with Champlain long before there were any European settlements.

The rich tapestry of Black Nova Scotian history is spun from many threads weaving back and forth across the oceans for over 400 years - from the United States (British Loyalists) to Canada (the Underground Railroad) to the West Indies (Maroons-Jamaica) and back to Africa (Sierra Leone).

Some of the early settlers chose to stay here and they have enriched enriched our lives and our society in ways that are not celebrated enough. Over the centuries, they would become renowned leaders in the military, in politics, in education and religion. Others are remembered for their ability to excel in science, in sports and entertainment.

Historically, a few courageous souls are remembered for their accomplishments, yet, their descendants who remained here to try to eke out a living in spite of many hardships would encounter harsh treatment from the Nova Scotia government and her people.  Their struggle continues.

Test your knowledge of Black History with a few little known facts:

1. Who is remembered to be one of the first black explorers (video) of what is now Nova Scotia?

2. What was his (or her) special skill and why was he or she invaluable to the expedition?

3. How many historic black communities or settlements are in Nova Scotia?

4. Which is considered the largest by population and geographic size? (This one's easy, so no help!)

5. Which established black community was destroyed by the Nova Scotian government?

6. Name a famous black Nova Scotian singer.


7. Which Queen of England was that country's first black queen?

8. Charlottetown, PEI was named after which black Queen of England? (This is 'not' a trick question. There were at least two).

9. When was slavery practiced in Nova Scotia?

10.  How long did slavery last in Nova Scotia?

11. The first Victoria Cross ever awarded to a Canadian was bestowed on a black man, a Nova Scotian!  Who was he and why did he receive this highest military honour?

12.  What black Eastern Shore resident 'almost' won the Canadian Idol title in its 1st season ?

Sorry, no prizes if you got them all right... but,  just look at how much you learned about black Nova Scotian history!
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The Eastern Shore Current is an eclectic Blog for Nova Scotia's Highway 7 Online. Visit the website!